Sleeve Saver

ABSTRACT

A sleeve saver apparatus that is an elastomeric attachment for use with a cuff on a button-cuffed shirt and any apparel closure using a button/buttonhole closure. More particularly, the invention is directed toward modifying a traditional button-cuffed shirt so that the cuff has some elasticity to facilitate movement of the sleeve and securing it in a desired position, and lending elasticity to other apparel using button/buttonhole closures.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a sleeve saver apparatus that is anelastomeric attachment for use with a cuff on a button-cuffed shirt andany apparel closure using a button/buttonhole closure. Moreparticularly, the invention is directed toward modifying a traditionalbutton-cuffed shirt so that the cuff has some elasticity to facilitatemovement of the sleeve and securing it in a desired position, andlending elasticity to other apparel using button/buttonhole closures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Button-down shirts are the traditional wear for many professionals.While some may wear French-style cuffs, it is more accessible andeconomical to purchase shirts that have button-style cuffs. The cuffs ofthe sleeve of these shirts are closed with a button and button-hole.Cuffs are made of the same materials as the remainder of the shirt,generally cottons, polyesters, silks, linens, other natural and/orsynthetic fibers, as well as blends thereof. Thus, there is nosignificant elastomeric qualities to the cuff. If the wearer desires topull up the sleeve of the shirt, the cuff will sit higher on the arm,but is not secure and can move from the desired position.

Throughout a day of wear, there are many tasks and environments where itis advantageous for a wearer of a shirt with buttoned-cuffs to pull uptheir sleeve. For instance, hand washing. It is well known that washinghands is recommended at various times throughout the day for well beingand keeping the hands free from germs, viruses and the like. Where awearer of a button-cuffed shirt pulls up the shirt to wash the hands,and the cuff falls down, water invariably will soil the shirt. Ofcourse, there are many other tasks in which a wearer might want to raisethe sleeves of his or her shirt as well.

Moreover, to wear the shirt, the cuffs must be open and then manuallyclosed by the wearer once the shirt is on. This task is cumbersome, anddifficult for many, especially where the wearer may have limitedmobility. The absence of elastomeric quality requires the opening andclosing of the cuff to put on and remove the shirt by the wearer.

Other apparel using a button/buttonhole closures often become tooconstricting for a wearer. Most obviously at the waistband where thewearer has increased in girth and the waistband is too small to be worncomfortably. Also in other openings such as those of a jacket where thewearer would like the environmental protection of the garment, but iswearing excess clothing underneath. An attachment to allow for increasedsize of an apparel opening would be advantageous in many situations.

There is a need for an attachment to button-holed shirt cuffs that wouldallow the wearer to have an elastomeric cuff that could be secured whenit is pulled up to stay in a desired position. It is also advantageousto have an elastomeric cuff that allows a wearer to put on and take offthe shirt without disengaging the cuff. Moreover, an attachment that isadaptable to any button/buttonhole closure is needed to modify existinggarments for use and comfort.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to alternate configurationsof the elastomeric piece to modify the opening of the cuff and allow forthe cuff to be expanded and secured in a desired position on the armnear or below the elbow as well as moving the hand through the cuffwithout disengaging the opening.

SUMMARY

The following presents a general summary of aspects of this invention inorder to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary isnot an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended toidentify key or critical elements of the invention or delineate thescope of the invention. The following summary merely presents someconcepts of the invention in general form as a prelude to the moredetailed description provided below.

Aspects of the invention relate to a segment of elastic materialcontaining a button on one end, and a buttonhole on the other end. Thesegment being adapted to be attached to a shirt cuff so that the openingin the cuff then has elastic material allowing the shirt-sleeve to bemoved and to be secured in a desired position on the arm near or belowthe elbow. The segment also being adapted to any button/buttonholeclosure such as that of a waistband, pant leg, jacket closure and thelike. The buttonhole on the elastic is capable of being received by theexisting button on the shirt cuff or other apparel opening, and thebutton on the elastic capable of passing through the existing buttonholeon the shirt cuff or other apparel opening.

Yet another aspect of this invention relates to an example of theelastic material containing only a button. The elastic material capableof being sewn onto a shirt cuff or other apparel opening either duringfabrication, or post fabrication (with the removal of the existingbutton). The button may then pass through the existing buttonhole,allowing the cuff opening or other apparel opening to have an elasticquality.

Additional aspects of the invention related to an example segment ofelastic that contains only a buttonhole. The segment of elastic capableof being sewn onto the shirt cuff or other apparel opening either duringfabrication, or post fabrication (with or without the removal of theexisting buttonhole). The buttonhole may then receive the existingbutton, allowing the cuff opening or other apparel opening to have anelastic quality.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to example a segment ofelastic material having a circular shape that has a button on one sideand a button hole approximately 180 degrees from the button. The buttoncan be attached to the existing buttonhole on the shirt cuff or otherapparel opening, and the buttonhole may receive the existing button onthe shirt cuff or other apparel opening. The attachment of this elasticgiving a stretch quality to the cuff or other apparel opening andallowing the wearer to move the shirt cuff upwards on the arm and secureit a desired position near or below the elbow and adding stretch to anyapparel opening.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to an example segment ofcircular elastic material with only a button. The circular elasticmaterial capable of being sewn onto a shirt cuff or other apparelopening either during fabrication, or post fabrication (with the removalof the existing button). The button may then pass through the existingbuttonhole, allowing the cuff opening or other apparel opening to havean elastic quality.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an example of a segment ofelastic material wherein a button is sewn onto the elastic. The elasticis sewn into the shirt cuff or other apparel opening either in place ofa traditionally existing button, or replacing the existing button, suchthat when the button on the elastic segment passes through the existingbuttonhole on the shirt, the cuff opening has an elastic quality and canbe raised up the arm of the wearer and secured in a desired positionnear or below the elbow. Where this is used in apparel, the attachmentgives stretch to the apparel opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention and certainadvantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the followingdescription in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference numbers indicate like features and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a planar sleeve saver as attached to a button-cuffedsleeve, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates another sleeve saver as attached to a button-cuffedsleeve, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various examples of the invention,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various examplesystems and environments in which aspects of the invention may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements ofparts, example systems, and environments may be utilized and structuraland functional modifications may be made without departing from thescope of the present invention. Nothing in this specification should beconstrued as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation ofstructures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.

Moreover, elastic material is meant to encompass a variety of syntheticand natural fibers with a stretch quality to them. The button discussedin the invention can by any type of button in shape and size, whetherattached by sewing or rivets or the like. An apparel opening is meant tobe any opening using a button/buttonhole closure such as, but notlimited to, waistbands, jacket openings, shirt openings, pant legs,shirt cuffs, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1 a the sleeve saver of this invention can be arectangular segment of elastic material 110 having a button 111 on oneend and a buttonhole 112 on the other. Of course, other shapes ofelastic material are contemplated by the invention. Elastic materialencompasses all natural and synthetic rubbers, elastomers andstretchable fabrics. While the button 111 in FIG. 1 a, and other figuresis circular in shape, it is contemplated that the button 111 in theinvention may be any number of shapes, sizes, colors, and the like.Likewise, the buttonhole 112 on the sleeve saver is capable of receivingthe button 111 and thus, in practice is a sufficient shape and size toreceive the button 112. FIG. 1 b shows the sleeve saver example of thisinvention in a side view to illustrate an example of thethree-dimensional quality of the invention. The sleeve saver of thisexample can be attached to a traditional buttoned shirt having a buttonand buttonhole cuff as illustrated in FIG. 1 c. Alternatively the sleevesaver of this example may be attached to any apparel opening with abutton/buttonhole closure.

As shown in FIG. 2, one side of the sleeve saver is sewn to the shirt110 (or existing on the apparel), and the button 111 is attached to theexisting the cuff of the shirt (or existing on the apparel). The button111 is received by the existing buttonhole 113 in the shirt. Whenattached, the sleeve saver of this embodiment allows a stretchablequality to the opening of the cuff 115 or other apparel opening. Thus,the wearer may attach the sleeve saver, and then the cuff can be movedup the arm, to near or lower than the elbow, and the elastic material110 provides a stretch that will secure the cuff at a desired position.This use is particularly advantageous when the wearer desires to movethe cuff upward from the wrist to perform activities in which the cuffmay be soiled, or hinder the activities of the user. Where the inventionis attached to an apparel opening, the invention lends a stretch qualityto the opening, increasing the size of the opening and securing theapparel opening.

In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 2, thesleeve saver has a segment of elastic material 110 elastic materialcontaining only a button 111. The segment of elastic material 110capable of being sewn onto the cuff 115 during fabrication.Alternatively, the segment of elastic material 110 may be sewn onto oneside of the apparel opening. As is evident to those skilled in the art,the elastic material 110 may be sewn on the outer surface of the apparelopening or cuff 115, the inner surface of the apparel opening or cuff115, or interstitially. The elastic material 110 may be sewn postfabrication after the removal of the existing button. Again, the elasticmaterial 110 may be sewn on the outer surface of the cuff 115 or of theapparel opening, the inner surface of the cuff 115 or apparel opening,or interstitially. In use, the button 111 on the sleeve saver isreceived by the existing buttonhole 113 on the cuff 115 or other apparelopening. When employed, the sleeve saver in this embodiment, as in theprevious example, provides a stretch at the opening of the cuff 115.This stretchable quality allows the cuff 115 to be moved up the usersarm and secured at a position near or below the elbow. Where theinvention is attached to an apparel opening, the invention lends astretch quality to the opening, increasing the size of the opening andsecuring the apparel opening.

While the description contemplates the use of the invention on a shirtcuff, it does not depart from the scope of the invention to use thesleeve saver as an elastomeric attachment for other apparel openingsusing button/buttonhole closures such as waistbands, pant legs, vestclosures, jacket closures, and the like. Use of the present invention inthese environments is another embodiment of the present invention.

Conclusion

Of course, many modifications to the specifically described structures,systems, and methods may take place without departing from thisinvention. For example, while the invention has been described withrespect to specific examples including presently preferred modes ofcarrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat there are numerous variations, combinations, and permutations ofthe above described systems and methods. Moreover, various specificstructural features included in the examples merely represent examplesof structural featuers that may be included in some examples ofstructures according to the invention. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that various specific structural features may be omittedand/or modified in an elastomeric attachment for a cuff withoutdeparting from the invention. Moreover, with respect to the methods,many variations in the method steps may take place, the steps may bechanged in order, various steps or features may be added or omitted,etc. without departing from the invention. Thus, the reader shouldunderstand that the spirit and scope of the invention should beconstrued broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An elastomeric attachment for an apparel opening comprisinga segment of elastic material having either a button or a buttonholewherein the segment of elastic material is secured to one side of saidapparel opening and where the segment of elastic material contains abutton, said button is capable of being secured to an existingbuttonhole on the other side of said apparel opening, and wherein theelastic material contains the buttonhole, said buttonhole capable ofreceiving an existing button on the opposite side of apparel openingshirt, the elastomeric attachment providing a stretchable quality to theapparel opening.
 2. The elastomeric attachment for an apparel opening ofclaim 1, wherein the elastic material is secured to a side of theopening in a shirt cuff and extends toward an opposite side of theopening of the shirt cuff.
 3. The elastomeric attachment for an apparelopening of claim 1, wherein the elastic material is secured in at leasttwo places to an outer surface of a shirt cuff, the elastic materialbeing secured to the shirt cuff.
 4. The elastomeric attachment for anapparel opening of claim 1, wherein the apparel opening is a shirt cuffand the elastomeric attachment allows said cuff to be raised from thewrist to near the elbow of a wearer, the cuff with the elastomericattachment capable of being secured on the arm of the wearer near orbelow the elbow.